What To Do At WR?

by Tim on Jan 14, 2008 11:35 PM CST in News Comment 22 comments

Here comes Part II of BRB's pre-draft examination of the current roster. Next up: Wide Receiver. The wideouts presently on the roster are as follows:

Andre "Best WR In The NFL" Johnson
Kevin Walter (that apartment offer still stands, by the way)
Jacoby Jones
Apostrophe Davis
David Anderson
LeRon McCoy
Derrick Hamilton
Harry Williams
Jerome Mathis

As far as I can tell, only 'Dre, Walter, and Jacoby are on the books for 2008. The only unrestricted free agent in the group I definitively see being brought back is Apostrophe, though any of the other UFAs could conceivably return as well on the cheap. Mr. Glass' past Pro Bowl nod and absurd speed may give Smithiak pause about cutting ties with his talent, but the fact remains that he's done nothing, save filling up a police blotter and the IR, since his debut season in 2005 that would warrant further consideration. In light of Apostrophe's excellent work in his stead, I don't see any way that Jerome Mathis is on the 2008 roster.

So...assuming Apostrophe Davis is re-signed, your Houston Texans would boast a quartet of Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones, and Apostrophe in their wide receiving corps. That's salty. As such, it's hard to see the Texans drafting a WR until late, if at all. In the realm of free agency, you'd have to think the team will choose to allocate its dollars at any number of other positions that don't approach the strength of this unit.

Thus, I beseech BRB for its thoughts. Anyone you're itching to draft? A wideout that you think should be signed as a free agent? Happy with the status quo?

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Comments

At the risk of sounding vague...

I'm completely cool with Smithiak finding another Apostrophe or K-Dub out there somewhere. For 2 years, management has definitely proven its ability to find talent that fits this team.

Entering training camp '07, we were all convinced that WR was going to be a huge weakness (excluding Dre). We all underestimated Walter. And someone who had seen Davis (I believe the SBN site for Buffalo) even thought that he couldn't be a full-time WR. What was it, 3 or 4 catches in all of '06?

To summarize....focus the draft & free agency on the higher priority areas of weakness (DBs, OL, RB), and fill WR in much the same way it was done last year.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Jan 15, 2008 7:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Ditto

Unless a FA WR or a "I can't believe this kid is still here at pick 210 WR" falls into our lap - I see us shoring up the line, DB, and RB positions. Personally, I hope we trade back for a late rd 1 and pick up a 2nd rounder.

I'm still convinced a quality RB would help the entire team. Can you imagine what a field day AJ and KDub would have if defenses had to keep a safety home to stop the run? Control the clock - win the game baby. Plus, it would keep #8 from having to drop back so much. That in itself has a two fold advantage: one cut down on the interceptions - two cut down on the fumbles. IF you take away a couple of those costly QB turnovers - we MIGHT, just might have snuck in as the 2nd WC ahead of Tennessee.

Here's hoping the healthy return of Dunta and the coming out party for Charles Spencer. The return of those two goes a long ways towards getting us to the playoffs.

Shakin 'em off one win at a time... In Schaub we trust.

by SOLIS on Jan 15, 2008 8:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and another thing...

If #8 doesn't drop back so much, his chance of getting injured is decreased.

by knave64 on Jan 15, 2008 12:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also...

when we don't play the Titans, his chance of getting injured is decreased.

Have I mentioned how much I want Haynesworth out of the AFC South? Dude, go sign with the Redskins or something.

by MDC on Jan 15, 2008 12:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

the WWF would be a better match for his talents.

by bigfatdrunk on Jan 15, 2008 12:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

For legal

reasons, it's WWE. Don't confuse Haynesworth with a three-toed sloth.
Okay, maybe.

by JBNJ on Jan 16, 2008 2:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No worries

Once he cashes in on a new contract, he will become a three-toed sloth.

by ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBuck on Jan 16, 2008 5:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Plus...

both read at the same speed.

by MDC on Jan 16, 2008 6:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right

Riding the same train bro. I'd just like us to have a more consistent run game... give our D some time to catch their breath between series all the while working the opponents defense over.

Shakin 'em off one win at a time... In Schaub we trust.

by SOLIS on Jan 15, 2008 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

When you are this rational...

it throws my whole world out of balance.

Which is to say I agree completely.

by MDC on Jan 15, 2008 9:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My bad

I'll try not to do it again.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Jan 15, 2008 9:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

there's a fine line between being deep at WR, and short-handed. If you let AD walk, aside from losing a valuable kick returner, the moment Dre, K-dub, or JJ goes down you've got a problem. If there's a shot at Asomugha or Turner then maybe you hold off, but I don't see us making a big splash in the FA market regardless of how much cap room we have.

Speaking of money though; is anyone expecting Demps to have a big price tag? Considering we basically picked him up from off the street you wouldn't think so, but he did make it as a probowl alternate.

by Nashmeister on Jan 15, 2008 9:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Demps

As you noted, we paid him close to squat this year as a September pick-up. I'm sure he's going to want some guaranteed coin in light of the success he had, but I can't imagine it's going to be too much. If Demps does demand the moon and the stars, I have a hard time thinking Smithiak is going to reach very deep in the coffers to keep him, especially with the very real possibility that Dunta is playing FS before the 2008 season is over.

We are in complete agreement about Apostrophe. Letting him go takes the team from pre-draft deep to questionably thin at WR, particularly considering Jacoby's struggles this year. From what I've read and heard, Apostrophe wants to come back, so I think McNair will make it happen as long as he doesn't make a ridiculous demand.

Regarding FAs...I would be surprised to see us bring in a big-ticket guy. Most of the guys we would be interested in are going to get hit with the franchise tag or quickly get priced out of our range. Smithiak is still trying to dig out from under the terrible contracts and dead money the previous regime handed out; I doubt they'll be anxious to spend big dollars in the market when they've already shown a proclivity for drafting well.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Jan 15, 2008 9:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

personally

I think we need to get a CB, and that would mean Asomugha. Robinson won't be the same, and we need to be prepared for that. And if Robinson is the same, we simply move Bennett to safety. If Robinson is a step slower, move him to safety. There's a lot of win-win here with the right moves, but we have to have the bodies. What's on the roster today isn't good enough.

by bigfatdrunk on Jan 15, 2008 9:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You leave Nnamdi alone!

That's my mancrush!!!

by MDC on Jan 15, 2008 9:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They Could Use An Impact Receiver

If I'm the Texans, I am taking the best player available. It is definitely apparent that they need help in the secondary and with the pass rush (maybe a OLB). Although an impact RB would be great, I think a better pass rush would have a bigger impact. But I think they shouldn't reach. Just continue to be patient and look for value and fit.

But if you've got a chance to draft the next Andre Johnson, I think you have to take it. While there are quality guys behind Andre, if he hadn't been injured, we win at least two more games. If he had been injured in camp and lost for the season, I think we would have won maybe 5 games. It seems like just about all the great teams have 2 impact WRs. The Texans only have one.

by kozanack on Jan 16, 2008 9:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

maybe a tall one?

who is a deep threat? with good hands?

Limas is thy name.

by BigTexBD on Jan 17, 2008 12:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Plus

He has that fancy new Bionic Wrist.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Jan 17, 2008 1:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

When is Limas expected to go?

It's early and all, but I don't think he's going to be a first rounder, is he?

by bigfatdrunk on Jan 17, 2008 2:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right Now

The mock drafts are showing late 1st Round....most to the Titans.

But then again, they thought Bud would draft a WR last year too.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Jan 17, 2008 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Correction/Modification

Apparently, it's a little more scattered now that Kelley & Manningham have declared. There are still some predicting Titans, but there are also those that put him in the early 2nd Round....and then, of course, everything in-between.

We can be critical of the draft picks, but in the end we always support the new Texan.

by Shake on Jan 17, 2008 3:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My early guess

is the Redskins take him at 21. He's exactly what they need and most of the fans don't want him, so that would pretty much be in keeping with the Snyder era.

by MDC on Jan 18, 2008 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs